If you suddenly and accidentally lose a loved one because another person was negligent – in a traffic collision or any other accident – you have the right to sue the negligent party for compensation. In the Pasadena and Los Angeles areas, get the help you’ll need by contacting an experienced Pasadena wrongful death attorney. A good wrongful death lawyer can handle virtually any wrongful death case, but there’s an ongoing case in Utah that’s a bit complicated even for wrongful death attorneys who handle such cases routinely. In February, a Utah woman was granted the right to sue herself for the wrongful death of her husband in a fatal 2011 single-vehicle accident.

The Utah Court of Appeals ruled that Barbara Bagley will be allowed to file a wrongful death lawsuit against herself for alleged negligence in the 2011 accident. Court documents show that Ms. Bagley will be suing the driver of the vehicle, meaning herself, for an unspecified amount of money for medical expenses, funeral costs, and mental anguish. Ms. Bagley lost control of a Range Rover while driving in the desert when she hit a sagebrush. Her husband, 55-year-old Bradley Vom Baur, was thrown from the vehicle and suffered severe injuries that ultimately led to his death early in 2012. Ms. Bagley claims that she was negligent for failing to maintain proper control of her vehicle and for not paying close attention as she was driving.

The Utah Appeals Court ruled that state law doesn’t prevent Ms. Bagley from suing herself for damages. Her attorneys say the widow is pursuing legal action for the benefit of the estate. Creditors will be paid prior to Ms. Bagley receiving the money she’d receive as her husband’s sole heir. Lawyers representing Ms. Bagley as a defendant – actually they are attorneys representing her insurance company – point to previous rulings that prevented Utah residents from suing themselves. They claim the lawsuit is nothing but an effort to profit from a tragedy.

Wrongful death suits are serious business in California. If your loved one dies tragically because of someone else’s negligence, a wrongful death claim can help your family cover the inevitable expenses and move on with life in a meaningful way. If you believe that you have grounds to file a wrongful death claim after the death of a loved one, don’t wait to contact an experienced Pasadena wrongful death attorney as quickly as possible.

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